Lives are being put at risk by “mindless” vandals throwing rocks and bricks at moving cars near Newcastle city centre , police have warned.

Moving vehicles driving on Skinnerburn Road, near to the Metro Radio Arena and the Quayside, have had debris thrown at them from the derelict lead works sites above.

A number of parked cars have also been targeted in recent months, Northumbria Police has said.

The most recent incident happened between 2pm and 8pm on Thursday, June 16, when a £30,000 Lexus that was parked on the road had a number of bricks, stones and masonry dropped onto it from the derelict site, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to the car.

Newcastle Sergeant Adrian Oakes said: “This mindless behaviour will not be tolerated and it is potentially putting people’s lives at risk.

“Rocks and bricks are being thrown from the site down onto the main road and have hit parked cars as well as moving vehicles. It could easily cause a collision and people could end up seriously hurt by this.

“If this is children messing about then it has to stop. We are carrying out regular patrols in the area and will be arresting anyone we find on the site and causing this damage.

“Anyone who sees anybody on the site should report it to police on 101 and we will respond.”

Northumbria Police has stepped up patrols in the area and have asked any one with any information to contact them on 101 quoting reference number 997 16/06/16.